McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Feb. 10 – Ilya Samsonov vs. Joonas Korpisalo

Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Fri. Feb. 10, 2023:

Why I like this matchup:

It happens yearly: goalies start off red hot and then come back down to earth. That’s what happened to Samsonov in the Leafs crease. But not Korpisalo, who’s managed to earn Columbus some impressive wins this season despite the Blue Jackets lineup being ravaged by injuries.

What to watch for:

Both goalies are looking to bounce back. Samsonov allowed five goals against the Boston Bruins in his last outing. Korpisalo let in four against the Washington Capitals. But both of those games took place before the bye week for each goaltender.

I’ve liked Samsonov’s game this year. When he plays with swagger, he can be intimidating for opponents. But I still think Samsonov’s game is loose around the edges. He’s not the most precise goaltender. So for him, it comes down to tracking and confidence. And behind a high-octane offense like the Maple Leafs, Samsonov knows his team can score out of any deficit. I think that’s been a major boost for the Russian goaltender.

As tough as the season has been for the Blue Jackets, Korpisalo has been a good story. His .906 save percentage isn’t attention-grabbing, but it’s noteworthy considering how much better he’s been than goalie partner Elvis Merzlikins. Add to that, Korpisalo was coming off major surgery in the offseason, and his play hadn’t been up to par for several years.

I think Korpisalo tends to chase the game more than he should. But as a pure puck-stopper, his natural ability is really high. He competes. Korpisalo received a one-year deal from Columbus in the offseason, so I’m curious to see where he ends up next season. Or if a team grabs him at the Mar. 3 NHL trade deadline.

What fantasy owners should do:

Samsonov is a lock going against the Blue Jackets. A win is likely. Korpisalo should start only if your team is in need of saves. The Blue Jackets give up a ton of shots.

Bottom line for Ilya Samsonov:

Simple, steady goaltending from here on out.

Bottom line for Joonas Korpisalo:

He’s showcasing himself for future NHL work. This is a really important time of the year for the Finnish netminder.